Birkbeck Institute Internships

Applications now open for 2018/19

About Us

The Birkbeck Institute for Social Research (BISR) and the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities (BIH) are outward-facing organistations established to stimulate research, public debate and collaboration among academics and intellectuals on important public issues of our time. The Institutes provide resources to support researchers and enhance research in the social sciences and humanities within Birkbeck and the wider London area. Each year the Institutes host a range of lectures, seminars, workshops, colloquia and conferences, alongside hosting research fellows and working groups, all of which help build new and develop existing research networks across the college and beyond.

With the support of Generic Skills Funding, the Institutes offered their first paid internships to PhD students in 2013-14. The scheme has been successfully continued since and we currently have four PhD students currently in post across BISR and BIH.

About the Internship

The internship provides an extensive training programme covering the entire process of disseminating research across multiple platform, helping you to develop invaluable generic skills that will contribute to your future academic career. Many of our public events take place during evenings and weekends, and so some flexible working is required, but all working patterns will be agreed in advance.

A key part of the internship is the organisation of the annual Birkbeck Institute Graduate Conference. You will take the lead on all elements of the conference, from developing the concept and call for papers, to choosing and liaising with keynote speakers, to booking rooms, organising catering and other logistics, and monitoring the event budget.

Your Role

The BISR and BIH are currently seeking 3 part-time paid interns for a period of one year to assist with the work of the Institutes for 3.5 hours per week during term time, which equates to 30 weeks total over the academic year.

You will work both independently and alongside the Manager of the two Institutes and the three Directors and will provide experience of working within a professional environment with a variety of academic and professional staff. Your tasks will include:

Assisting with the organisation and promotion of events, workshops, and conferences for the Institutes.

Organising the Birkbeck Graduate Conference alongside your fellow interns, with the support of the Institute Manager.

Event logistics – ensuring the Institutes’ events run smoothly on the day (including meeting and greeting visiting speakers and guests, setting up seminar rooms, assisting with audio visual requirements.

Writing for and maintaining the Institute blog, including interview and event posts, and the organisation and editing of guest posts from other students and academics.

Website maintenance for both Institutes; maintaining comprehensive online resources and archives of the work that we do.

Producing monthly email campaigns and newsletters and using social media platforms to publicise BISR and BIH events.

Requirements: Knowledge and Experience

Some experience of event organisation

Familiarity with using social media as a promotional tool

Some experience of writing and/or editing blogs

A track record of being organised and punctual with good time management skills

Good written and verbal communication skills

Prospective candidates are expected to familiarise themselves with the work of both Institutes

An interest in the respective research areas of the two Institutes is desirable.

Birkbeck is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all candidates irrespective of their sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief. Birkbeck is a member of the ‘positive about disability’ two ticks scheme and guarantees to interview all candidates who meet the essential criteria for the post.

Salary

This position is marked at Grade 5 of the College’s London Pay Scale which equates to £28,633 pro-rata, per annum.